Useful Tips on How to Prepare for a Custody Evaluation and
Gain an Edge in Your Custody Battle!
Custody evaluations are very important in determining child
custody and access during contested divorce proceedings. Divorce
courts give considerable weight to the recommendations of the
evaluator.
Below are some guidelines that will assist when you prepare
for your custody evaluation with the expectation of ending your
custody battle.
Arrive on time at your custody evaluation interview.
Dress neatly and conservatively.
Be honest. The custody evaluator will likely check out your
statements with collaterals and/or other sources.
If the custody evaluator chooses to use psychological testing,
ABSOLUTELY answer honestly. The tests are designed to detect
defensiveness and lies and unless you are an expert in
psychometric testing, you are unlikely to fool them.
Be sincere. The custody evaluator can usually detect over
embellishment and insincerity.
It's all right to be nervous; most people are.
It's all right to cry and/or show emotion; many people do.
Answer questions directly and to the point.
Make sure you pay attention to what the evaluator is asking.
Take your time when answering a question. If you do not
understand what is being asked, feel free to ask the evaluator
to explain what he/she means.
If the custody evaluator asks that you provide additional
documentation, do so as promptly as possible or communicate
any concerns about getting it.
If you provide the custody evaluator with names of
collaterals, it is a good idea to inform them in advance that
they may be contacted so that they can prepare to speak on
your behalf.
If the custody evaluator is observing you with your child(ren),
be attentive to their needs and focus on their interests and
not yours.
Present yourself as being reasonable and placing the concerns
of your child(ren) above all.
The following is a list of things to avoid doing during a
custody and access evaluation...
DO NOT speak badly of your spouse/partner unless the custody
evaluator asks you to comment on what you perceive to be the
problems between you.
DO not make threatening comments about your spouse/partner or
anyone else to the evaluator.
DO NOT harass the custody evaluator with phone calls.
DO NOT drop by the evaluator's office without an appointment.
DO NOT call the custody evaluator to see if the report is
completed.
DO NOT prep your child(ren) to say negative things about their
other parent. The custody evaluator has ways of telling if
this has happened.
Custody evaluators recognize the stress people are under during
this process and take this into account when assessing family
members. If you are feeling stressed and anxious, it is all right to
acknowledge it and allow the custody evaluator to help allay some of
your concerns.
